Head to Head: American Express Aeroplan Card vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

TD and American Express Canada offer two Aeroplan credit cards for travellers:

In terms of design, gray colour and features, they are very similar. Let’s analyze the small details to see the differences.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus offered by each of these cards varies according to the promotions.

Here is how the current offer is structured:

With this welcome offer for the TD^MD Aeroplan^MD Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points, with no fee in the first year.

Here’s how:

• 10,000 Aeroplan points after first purchase
• 15,000 Aeroplan points, if you spend $3,000 within 90 days of account opening
• 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of account opening

Based on our valuation of Aeroplan points (2 cents per point), this welcome bonus corresponds to an approximate value of $800.

With this welcome offer, the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card allows you to earn up to 45,000 Aeroplan points.

Here’s how:

• 35,000 Aeroplan points after $7,500 in purchases within the first 6 months;
• 10,000 Aeroplan points after $1,000 in purchases in the 13th month following your membership.

Based on our valuation of Aeroplan points (2 cents per point), this welcome bonus is worth approximately $900.

Minimum Income

The TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card requires an annual personal household income of $60,000 or $100,000.

The American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card requires no minimum income.

Annual Fee

The TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card has an annual fee of $139.

But with the current promotion, it’s free for the first year!

The American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card has an annual fee of $120.

Standard earning rate

The two cards offer different point earning rates.

The Accumulation Level

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you get different levels:

• 1.5 points per dollar on gas, groceries, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

With the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card, you earn:

• 2 points per dollar on eligible purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
• 1.5 points per dollar on restaurant, bar and home delivery purchases
• 1 point per dollar on everything else

Redeeming Points

Both cards are designed for travellers who earn Aeroplan points.

These points are used to book airline tickets with Air Canada, Star Alliance and partner airlines. Here is the Flight Reward Chart for the Aeroplan program.

You can also use your Aeroplan points for hotel reservations, car rentals or vacation packages with Air Canada Vacations.

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you only get Aeroplan points.

With the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card, you only get Aeroplan points.

The Benefits

With the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you will get:

• Free first checked bag free for you and up to 8 people travelling on the same reservation
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in net purchases
• $100 statement credit every 48 months for NEXUS membership or renewal fees
• Access to Visa Infinite benefits (concierge, luxury hotel collection, vineyard tours, additional travel privileges)
• Various promotions with Aeroplan (Aeroplan points back, discounts on flights, credits or points Aeroplan to the account, link your account with Starbucks)

With the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card, you benefit from the following advantages:

• Free first checked bag free for you and up to 8 people travelling on the same reservation
• Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and 1 Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 in net purchases
• American Express Experiences lets you buy tickets to popular events (concerts, plays and special events) before anyone else.
• A wide range of American Express promotional offers (Statement credits on a multitude of purchases made in a variety of stores)

Insurance

Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance	Up to $1,500	None
Trip Interruption Insurance	Up to $5,000	None
Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance	Up to $2,000,000 21 days	None
Flight delay insurance	Up to $500 after 4 hours	Up to $500 after 4 hours
Misdirected Baggage Insurance	Up to $1,000 after 6 hours	Up to $500 after 4 hours
Lost or stolen luggage insurance	Up to $1,000	Up to $500
Hotel Burglary Insurance	Up to $2,500	Up to $500
Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance	Up to $65,000	Up to $85,000
Travel Accident Insurance	$500,000	$500,000
Purchase Protection Plan	1 additional year	1 additional year
Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan	Up to $1,000 90 days	Up to $1,000 90 days

Conclusion

So? Who is the big winner?

For all its features, and thanks to better insurance, the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card wins the match!

However, if the minimum income requirement of $60,000 is too much for you, the American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card is an excellent replacement.

Welcome bonuses on American Express Aeroplan cards change regularly. Check out the current welcome offer for American Express Aeroplan cards before you decide.

The TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card stands out thanks to:

• Its high earning rate
• Superior travel insurance
• Annual fee reimbursed in the first year

The American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Card stands out thanks to:

• No minimum income
• Promotional offers partly offsetting the cost of the annual fee

Frequently Asked Questions about the Aeroplan American Express vs TD Visa Infinite Comparison

Here are frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about this card.